Monday, October 29, 2012

When I started writing The Truth About Faking, it wasn’t going to be as lighthearted as it turned out. I planned for the main character Harley’s dad to have a crisis of faith because of a terrible disappointment. (Harley’s dad is a Presbyterian reverend.)

The story took a turn when Harley met Jason and then realized she liked him more than her “one true love” Trent—which created a whole different crisis for her. And maybe it was the mood I was in, but I couldn’t seem to keep the whole thing from being funny and romantic and sweet. My drama turned into a rom-com!

But one message I’d intended from the outset remained: Don’t judge others by their appearance. (The whole “book by its cover” adage.)

It’s a message we know by heart, yet I think until we’re actually surprised by someone or something, we pass appearance-based judgments all the time.

Harley decides Trent’s the one for her based on his appearance and his quiet politeness. The town in which Harley lives judges her mother based on appearance. They even decide Harley’s parents have a shaky marriage based on appearance.

Heck, even the town Shadow Falls isn’t shadowy nor does it have waterfalls…

Yeah, I was chasing a theme.

I also kept the religious elements in place. It was a risk maybe. Sometimes readers are put off by religion in books. But the consensus has been in this case, it makes the story more real.

In my experience, church and faith tend to be a big part of life in Small Town, USA. In addition, Christians are often just as guilty of judging books by their covers.

Ultimately, my goal was to make readers think, which I hope TTAF does. How often do we judge people wrongly? How important is it to keep one’s word when it might jeopardize one’s position in the community?

Thanks so much for having me today, Laurel! I hope readers like my book!

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Leigh Talbert Moore is a wife and mom by day, a writer by day, a reader by day, an editor when time permits, a chocoholic, a lover of YA and contemporary romance (really any great love story), and occasionally she sleeps.

47
comments:

Religion and spirituality is a big part of a lot of people's lives, and having spent several years living in the Midwest, I certainly know it's important in small town culture. I think authors often avoid that stuff, but it's really just portraying life as it actually is, and ... isn't that what contemporary realistic fiction does? Great post, Leigh!

Thanks for coming by, Sarah. When so many surveys say a majority of the population has some level of faith, it does seems strange that it's not often portrayed as just part of life in fiction. Religion is important in cities too (I live in Philly), we just wider religious diversity.

Yay for Leigh!! I agree it seems like talks of faith are a hard sell to big pubbers these days. I wrote a contemp Christian/Muslim teen romance a few years ago and couldn't find anyone to take it on. But I feel like it's really important to discuss it cuz so many teens struggle with questions of faith--especially in a melting pot of them.

Good for Leigh for putting it out there. Many good wishes for success!!!!

Thanks, guys! And THANKS again to Laurel for having me here! Yep, prejudices, religion. Even in a rom-com these things increase the drama--which is how it works in TTAF, I think. Hope you all enjoy my book! Best~ :o) <3

I think the faith piece was important to the book LARGELY because it explained why Harley might be so caught up in appearances. She has a vested interest not just as a 'shallow teen' (which she IS a little bit at the beginning) but because she cares about her FAMILY, so it takes some of the sting off of the attitude for the reader--we judge her less for being that way.

That's a great insight--that Harley worries about "the appearance of evil" that her faith tradition warns followers to avoid. It makes her worry about her mom's reputation and leads her to jump to wrong conclusions too.

Faith/religion is a big part of a lot of real peoples lives so I don't thinks it's natural for it to be automatically excluded from fiction, just because. I also have characters of faith/faith crisis in my books, and I think it's a normal/common slice of life.

The judgment theme is a thread in my own life and stories--and one I think everyone can identify with in some shape or form--especially in YA. I too want to read real stories. :) Your book is on my TBR pile--sounds great!

Mine too, Coleen! I've been on the receiving end, and like Leigh says, had my misperceptions challenged when I got to know someone better. It's one of the themes I hoped Leigh would address because TTAF does it well.

I think this is a great theme! Christians aren't exempt from judging based on appearance. I think this is something we all have to work on. I could tell stories, though I won't. Still, I have to remind myself all the time.

To tell you the truth, I shy away from religious themes in non-religious books, but the way Leigh handled it in TTAF was great. She didn't push an agenda; it felt like a real part of these peoples' lives; and there wasn't some subliminal Christian message that took over the story. The story spoke for itself. The judgement theme was definitely there and I really liked how it played out throughout the story, but it felt like the lessons learned were life lessons applicable to anyone, not just Christians or particular readers. Great job, Leigh!:)

Glad to hear that Julie. I really enjoyed Chaim Potok's books even through I'm not Jewish. I find it fascinating to learn what it's like to see the world through the eyes of people in various religious traditions.

Yay! Thanks, guys! My goal wasn't to write a religious book, rather to write a "real" book--despite the title. LOL! I don't know. I just did my best. I appreciate all the positive feedback! ((hugs)) <3 :o)

Yeah, it's tough to be a massage therapist in a small town, especially if you're married. Hey, if people can't get over their hang-ups about certain things (including books that explore faith), too bad. For them, life is a piece of Swiss cheese--full of soul-holes.

While I'm not usually one for religion in novels, I thought the whole subplot with Mum worked very well. It's an important message not to judge by appearance, and something we all (okay, I!) need reminding of.

You had just the right amount of religion in TTAF. I never ever thought it was preachy or too much, more that people do really go to church and it's very real! I have a church scene in my mg and someone suggested I take it out, but it's real life for many people!

About Me

City dweller, word nerd, Indie film enthusiast and incurable Anglophile. Professor's wife and mom to a fourth-year Ravenclaw (perhaps wishful thinking, but she does wear a blue uniform to school...). Follower of the Good Shepherd, who is faithful when we are faithless. My poetry and fiction explore the places where heart and soul are tested and growing up truly begins.

I'm also a freelance editor who has been editing professionally since 1991. How can I help you make your manuscript shine? Click my "editing services" tab to learn more

I post every Thursday (and on other days when the need arises or the spirit moves).